Sixth-seeded Piscataway Tech (15-10) was without head coach Karl Towns, who was in Philadelphia with his daughter and newborn grandchild.

“We can run both ways,” Capellan said. “If we had to play the game fast we could have played it faster. We played the slow game today because that’s what we had to do.”

The Crusaders packed in a 2-3 zone around Piscataway Tech’s 6-foot-7 standout forward Will Joyce and dared the Raiders to shoot from the outside. It worked like a charm. Joyce was limited to 10 points, almost all of which came via put-backs. He also notched 14 rebounds and four blocks.

“We looked him off a lot,” Piscataway Tech assistant coach Nick McKee said. “We were very stagnant, didn’t really develop a rhythm. We were settling for one shot and didn’t hit the offensive glass.”

Added Melesurgo: “We did a good job of bodying him and collapsing on him and making them play outside-in instead of inside-out.”

Bound Brook led from start to finish. Capellan and senior forward Tyjohn Young (11 points, 9 rebounds) hit early 3-pointers to foster an 8-2 lead, and back-to-back treys from Capellan just before the half made it 25-15 at the break.

“Phenomenal performance,” Melesurgo said of Capellan.

The margin remained in the 7-10 range until the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. A Joyce put-back cut it to six before Bound Brook junior guard Ricky Holliday (seven points, eight rebounds) took a steal back for a layup. The Raiders responded with a 3-pointer by Aziz Austin to get within five and regained possession after a turnover, but Joyce missed two free throws with 23 seconds left and that sealed it.

At every critical juncture, Bound Brook showed discipline and restraint in dealing with Piscataway Tech’s pressure.

“Our guys did a great job of slowing the tempo and not forcing it,” Melesurgo said. “We’ve played some games this year where we had to grind it out. We’ve been telling our guys from day one, ‘A state championship is not going to be won in the 80s. It’s going to be a 40s, 50s type of game.”

For Piscataway Tech, senior guard Galen Smith tallied 11 points and four assists, Jordan Lackey contributed six points and four rebounds and Khari Mosley and Austin netted six points apiece.

Brian Devine chipped in six points and four rebounds and Isiah Williams added seven points for Bound Brook, which got past the quarterfinals for the first time in recent memory.

“Our goal is to win a state championship,” Capellan said.

The Crusaders are one step closer.

About Jerry Carino

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.

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Since its launch in 2006, Hoops Haven has become a staple of the New Jersey basketball community. This is the place to find breaking news, analysis and links about college and high school basketball in the Garden State.

About the Author

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.Email Jerry.